KowalskiL The controversial Orange Order march through Gillingham on Saturday passed off without incident.
Around a thousand members of the Protestant organisation walked through the streets of Gillingham on their first Kent parade.There was no sign of a counter-march which was rumoured to have been planned in other parts of the town.
The Medway Martyrs, an Orange Order group set up in 2007, were the hosts of the event and they were supported by members of other orders from across the country.
Orange Order march in MedwayBefore they set off from the Naval Memorial on the Great Lines, members laid wreaths in memory of their members and others who died during the both world wars.
Their annual gathering didn't cause to many delays for motorists and police staged rolling police closures to more than a dozen roads.
Organisers did promise a peaceful and unprovocative parade, which saw people wearing orange sashes.
Two bands joined the march one at the front and another at the back.
According to rumours circulating earlier this week, protesters were planning a simultaneous counter-march from The Strand, in Pier Road, before a rally outside the Sunlight Centre, in Richmond Road, but that never occurred.
A debate had been raging on the Medway Messenger website all week, with about 200 comments � including those urging residents to barricade their roads � but many people living in the towns lined the streets and welcomed the parade.
In some roads those who took part in the march were met with spontaneous rounds of applause.
Orange Order march in MedwayAfter the parade, Chief Inspector Peter de Lozey said: "Today's parade in Gillingham by the Orange Order went by peacefully and without incident."
The Orange Order regards itself as defending civil and religious liberties of Protestants, is best known for its parades in Northern Ireland.
Ron Bather, Grand Master of Orange Lodge of England, said afterwards he was pleased with how the march went and was happy to have held his first Kent march in Gillingham.
He added: "There was a pleasant atmosphere, people did come out to see and enjoy the parade.
He added Gillingham was chosen to "show support for the new but pro-active lodge".
Medway Martyrs Loyal Orange Lodge 652 was formed with 14 members in November 2007 � the first Orange Lodge in Medway since the Second World War.
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